Holistic approaches to reduce risky sexual behavior among adolescents

Evidence Rating

Insufficient Evidence

Health Factors

Decision Makers

Interventions aimed at reducing risky sexual behavior among adolescents can be coordinated with work, vocational training, or sports, providing a more holistic approach to health and wellness. Such interventions often include components focused directly on pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention in addition to activities related to work, vocational training, or sports.

Expected Beneficial Outcomes (Rated)

Reduced risky sexual behavior

Other Potential Beneficial Outcomes

Increased HIV and STI knowledge

Increased self-efficacy

Increased condom use

Increased STI testing

Evidence of Effectiveness

There is insufficient evidence to determine whether youth development behavioral interventions coordinated with work, vocational training, or sports reduce sexual risk behaviors among adolescents (CG-HIV/AIDS and pregnancy). Available evidence suggests that sports-based HIV prevention interventions may positively affect HIV-related knowledge, self-efficacy, and condom use in the short-term (Kaufman A. Effectiveness of sport-based HIV prevention interventions: A systematic review of the evidence. AIDS and Behavior. 2013;17(3):987–1001.Link to original source (journal subscription may be required for access)Kaufman 2012), and an intervention within vocational training in the Netherlands yielded increases in STI testing among older adolescents (Wolfers 2011). However, additional evidence is needed to confirm effects.

Date Last Updated

Scientifically Supported: Strategies with this rating are most likely to make a difference. These strategies have been tested in many robust studies with consistently positive results.

Some Evidence: Strategies with this rating are likely to work, but further research is needed to confirm effects. These strategies have been tested more than once and results trend positive overall.

Expert Opinion: Strategies with this rating are recommended by credible, impartial experts but have limited research documenting effects; further research, often with stronger designs, is needed to confirm effects.

Insufficient Evidence: Strategies with this rating have limited research documenting effects. These strategies need further research, often with stronger designs, to confirm effects.

Mixed Evidence: Strategies with this rating have been tested more than once and results are inconsistent or trend negative; further research is needed to confirm effects.

Evidence of Ineffectiveness: Strategies with this rating are not good investments. These strategies have been tested in many robust studies with consistently negative and sometimes harmful results.